Imperative to start children on path to success

The years from birth to age 8 are crucial in children's lives. Children grow from newborns who mainly rely on reflexes in interacting with the world to children who can read, write and think about and even nurture others. Development in early childhood lays the foundation for future growth.

Although children are born with specific genes, genes are not destiny; in fact, some genes actually make children more susceptible to the effects of the environment. What we do to support young children's positive development may start them on a path leading to success in school, relationships and life, or may instead make it more difficult for them to succeed. It is thus extremely important that we make sure our children are in environments that help them thrive.

What can parents do? 1. Find the time each day to talk to, listen to, read to, respond sensitively to and play with our babies and young children and to involve them in exploring their world; 2. Carefully select high quality child care and preschool programs that will foster our child's development; 3. Talk to our child's teacher(s) so that we can understand what is happening in preschool or child care and how we can help our child flourish there; 4. Help our child's teacher(s) know how much we appreciate all they are doing for our children.

Karen Caplovitz Barrett, Ph.D., Fort Collins

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Imperative to start children on path to success

The years from birth to age 8 are crucial in children's lives. Children grow from newborns who mainly rely on reflexes in interacting with the world to children who can read, write and think about